Du Jour, trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Flavien Prat, achieved his first Grade I win in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita, marking one of Baffert’s three graded stakes victories on the card.
– ‣ Du Jour, trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Flavien Prat, achieved his first Grade I win in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita, marking a significant victory in his career after previously being trained by Bill Mott and returning to Baffert’s barn.
– ‣ The race demonstrated Du Jour’s impressive ability to come from behind, showcasing a strong turn of foot in the stretch to secure the victory, emphasizing the horse’s talent and potential in top-level competition.
– ‣ Du Jour’s victory adds to the success of his sire, Temple City, making him the fourth Grade I winner for the sire. His pedigree also highlights a strong lineage, with connections to other notable horses such as City Zip and Ghostzapper, underscoring the quality of his breeding.
Oh là là !#6 DU JOUR ($8.40) rated towards the back of the field, quickly made up ground on the turn, and showed a devastating turn of foot in the stretch to win Santa Anita's $300,000 G1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile! pic.twitter.com/AaFKC0ANQ6
— TVG (@TVG) March 3, 2024
Du Jour, hailing from Temple City, did something spectacular on a sunny Sunday at Santa Anita. He clinched the GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile, marking trainer Bob Baffert’s second of three graded stakes victories that day. The scene was set, the crowd was buzzing, and Du Jour? He was just getting started.
Owned by the dynamic duo of Jill Baffert and Debbie Lanni, this 6-year-old gelding wasn’t in a hurry at the start. He hung back, watching as Goliad set a blistering pace. The fractions? A rapid :22.82 and :45.75. But as they say, slow and steady wins the race. Or in this case, smart and strategic.
As the race heated up, Goliad seemed untouchable. That is, until the far turn, where his lead began to crumble like a cookie in milk. Meanwhile, Easter, the 3-2 favorite, was making moves on the outside. But our hero, Du Jour, had other plans. He found his moment, darting to the rail and surging forward with a power that left the crowd in awe. Victory was his, clear and authoritative.
Flavien Prat, the man in the saddle, couldn’t hide his excitement post-race. “We had a great ride,” he said, the thrill of victory still fresh. He talked about the horse’s speed, the strategy down the backside, and the importance of staying fresh. His job? To find that comfortable zone, allowing Du Jour to showcase his talent in that final, crucial stretch.
Before this triumph, Du Jour had a journey. Under Baffert’s guidance, he won the 2021 GII American Turf S. Then, a stint with Bill Mott in New York saw him place in the GI Belmont Derby and the GI Saratoga Derby. His time with Mott ended, and back with Baffert, he narrowly missed victory in last year’s GIII Thunder Road S. and Kilroe Mile. His win in the GII Del Mar Mile earned him a shot at the Breeders’ Cup Mile, where he finished 10th, but only 3 1/2 lengths behind.
Debbie Lanni was over the moon. “It was so exciting,” she said, the surprise and joy evident in her voice. The Breeders’ Cup? A hiccup, she believed. Du Jour wasn’t himself that day, finishing a mere 3 1/2 lengths behind.
Now, let’s dive into the pedigree, shall we? Du Jour is one of 14 graded winners for Temple City, becoming his sire’s fourth Grade I winner. His dam, Guiltless, has her own story, purchased by Woods Edge Farm for $60,000 at the 2016 Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale. And let’s not forget Baby Zip, Du Jour’s third dam, who produced notables like City Zip and Ghostzapper.
Oh, and if you missed it, here’s a bit of excitement for you: “#6 DU JOUR ($8.40) rated towards the back, made up ground, and won Santa Anita’s $300,000 G1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile!” That tweet from TVG captured the essence of the race, the thrill of the win, and the magic of the moment.
The details of the race? Here they are: Santa Anita’s FRANK E. KILROE MILE S.-GI, with a purse of $301,500. The contenders were top-notch, the competition fierce, but in the end, Du Jour, with Flavien Prat aboard, claimed the $180,000 prize. His lifetime record? An impressive 17-6-3-2, with earnings of $1,118,220. A story of talent, strategy, and a horse who knew when to make his move.
